Who Killed Hazel Drew – The Unfolding Documentary

What if by making a documentary we, (we meaning all of us) could uncover additional clues sufficient to answer a few key questions concerning “Who Killed Hazel Drew?”

Some say the investigation is only two questions away from solving the murder.

How did she get from Troy NY to Sand Lake NY?

Where did she spend the night prior to her murder?

Somebody, somewhere has these answers.

The decedents and relatives of Hazel Drew, William and Minnie Taylor, District Attorney Jarvis, detective Kay and others connected to the case are alive today.

Someone has a grandfather or grandmother who knew something or was told something the District Attorney didn’t know.

These stories get passed down through generations.

Tucked away in someones attic, basement or hope chest there’s a photo album, a letter or even a journal that might provide some answers.

Someone knows who the stranger sitting at the Taborton bar muttering “it’s to bad, it had to be done” was. Or they may have a letter from one of Hazels friends disclosing all that Aunt Minnie wished to keep quiet.

In 1908 the nation’s eyes were on Sand Lake and “The Teal Pond Murder Mystery,” where the body of beautiful Hazel Drew lay floating in a saw mill pond.

Hazel was originally from the Sand Lake but was until the morning prior, employed as a governess in Troy NY.

Hazel was a spirited young woman who reflected the times and her environment. Troy was a happening place, possibly the wealthiest city in the nation. It was full of powerful men. Sand Lake was a trolley ride from the nation and the playground of people with money.

This is the world 19 year old Hazel found her self surrounded by.

Hazel Drew had worked her way up from farm girl and was now a woman of fashion and travel. For five years she had worked for people with money and power. She was slowly transforming from farm girl into an unusually attractive and admired young woman.

Uncovering clues in the documentary “Who Killed Hazel Drew?”

My hope is that by revisiting Hazel’s life, the people around her and the suspects named, this documentary will create “buzz” that opens doors. I believe that behind these doors we’ll find new clues to who killed Hazel Drew.

My hope is that by the making of this documentary skeletons from 1908 might find their way out of the closets.

Revisiting Troy & Sand Lake

This documentary will also be an opportunity to revisit 1908 a time when the city of Troy and the Town of Sand Lake were bustling reflections of the industrial revolution.

It was a romantic time when Troy was home to the worlds most powerful vertical water wheel generating 1100 horse power. A time when the Hudson River moved hundreds of canal boats, river barges and passenger vessels every week.

Hazel Drew lived and died fully embracing all a young, smart, beautiful, young woman could. Unfortunately shortly after she was seen walking up Taborton Mountian Hazel was killed by a blunt force blow to the back of the head.

A young admirer named Frank Smith saw Hazel near the pond she was found dead he said that she was swinging her hat as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

Did Hazel know this person?

Was this a random act? Modern profiling techniques say no.

The Hazel Drew Murder is complex, the people involved are mysterious. The story was first told to Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost by his grandmother. Mark later revisited the mystery and was inspired to create Twin Peaks main character Laura Palmer.

The entire first season and half of the next revolved around who killed Laura Palmer, a young woman living a double life, eerily similar to that of Hazel Drew.

Mark later disclosed that this was no coincidence and that his research with the Hazel Drew murder did indeed help form the character of Laura Palmer. A character that would go on to become famous around the world.

How you can be involved and help solving the mystery “Who Killed Hazel Drew?”

There is a lot to unpack and that’s why I’m calling this an unfolding documentary. During the making and release of the documentary, this website will share existing and new information including: